Apparatus for cleaning the bore of a flintlock muzzleloading rifle

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for cleaning the longitudinal bore in the barrel of a flintlock muzzleloading type rifle without removing the barrel from the stock and wherein the barrel has a touchhole formed in its breach end normally covered by the lock assembly. The apparatus includes a tubular drain member having a radial flange on which is mounted an annular seal adapted for sealing engagement with the barrel circumferentially of the touchhole opening after removal of the lock assembly. A mounting clip attached to the drain member facilitates releasable mounting of the apparatus on the barrel. In cleaning the bore, the lock assembly is removed from the stock to expose the touchhole, the drain member is mounted on the rifle by the mounting clip so as to seal about the touchhole opening, and a flushing liquid or solvent is poured down the barrel bore and discharged through the touchhole and drain member to a receptacle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to flintlock muzzleloadingrifles, and more particularly to a novel method and apparatus forcleaning the longitudinal bore of a flintlock muzzleloading rifle.

The history of flintlock muzzleloading rifles indicates that theyoriginated in the middle 1600's and were widely used for the next twocenturies without substantial changes in their general features. Theircollection and use by contemporary hobbiests for both competitiveshooting exhibitions and display has sustained interest in preservingsuch rifles. In the use of a flintlock muzzleloading rifle, the cock,which generally corresponds to the hammer as employed in percussion-lockrifles, has a pair of jaws for holding a flint which is caused to strikethe frizzen throwing it back and dropping a shower of sparks into theunderlying pan which contains a priming powder. The ignited primer actsthrough a passage in the barrel, termed the touchhole, to ignite theprimary charge and propel projectile or "shot" previously inserted intothe muzzle end of the barrel bore. After numerous shots have been fired,a residue or fouling is built up on the surface of the bore whichrequires cleaning to prevent possible malfunction to the rifle. Thisproblem is particularly prevalent when using black powder as the primarycharge.

The conventional method for cleaning the barrel bore of a flintlockmuzzleloading rifle involves flushing of the bore with warm water toremove the fouling buildup. The water and flushed fouling is dischargedfrom the touchhole in the breech end of the barrel. In this process, thebarrel must be removed from the rifle stock in order to prevent thestock from becoming soaked and thereby discolored and damaged. Removalof the barrel from the stock does not present a particularly significantproblem when the stock extends approximately one-half or less of thelength of the barrel. However, for muzzleloading rifles having longslender stocks which extend substantially the full length of the barrel,removal of the barrel subjects the fragile stock to possible damageand/or breakage. In addition, removal of the barrel from the stock istime consuming. As a consequence, it is highly desirable that the barreland stock of a flintlok muzzleloading rifle remain in assembled relationduring cleaning. Thus, a need exists for an improved method andapparatus for cleaning the bore of a flintlock muzzleloading rifle whichdo not require removal of the barrel from the stock and which arerelatively simple in construction and procedure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a method and apparatus forcleaning the bore of a flintlock muzzleloading rifle are provided whichrequire only the removal of the lock assembly from the stock so as toexpose the touchhole in the barrel. The apparatus includes a generallytubular drain member having an annular flange on one end on which ismounted an annular sealing member adapted to engage the barrelcircumferentially of the touchhole. A generally U-shaped mounting clipis attached to the drain member and facilitates mounting of the drainmember on the rifle with the sealing member disposed peripherally of thetouchhole opening. A drain tube affixed at one end of the drain memberhas its opposite end adapted for discharge into a receptacle.

In accordance with the method of the invention, the lock assembly of theflintlock muzzleloading rifle is first removed to expose the touchhole,and the drain member and associated sealing element are releasablyaffixed to the barrel in sealing relation peripherally of the touchhole.The rifle is then placed in an upstanding position with the borepointing upwardly and warm water or black powder solvent is poured downthe bore. The water or solvent and flushed or dissolved carbon foulingare discharged through the touchhole and sealed drain member to thereceptacle without spillage on the stock.

Accordingly, a general object of the present invention is to provide anovel method and apparatus for cleaning the bore in the barrel of aflintlock muzzleloading rifle without removal of or damage to theassociated stock.

A more particular object of the present invention is to provide a novelmethod and apparatus for cleaning the longitudinal bore of a flintlockmuzzleloading type rifle which require removal of only the lock assemblyto expose the touchhole in the barrel, the apparatus including a drainmember defining a fluid flow passage therethrough and having an annularsealing member adapted for sealing engagement with the barrelperipherally of the touchhole opening when the drain member is mountedon the rifle by means of a mounting clip. Warm water or a solvent maythen be poured down the bore of the barrel and discharged from thetouchhole to a suitable receptacle.

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed decription of the inventionwhen taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein likereference numerals designate like elements throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a flintlock muzzleloading rifle ofthe type with which the present invention finds application;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the rifle of FIG. 1, takensubstantially along line 2--2 of FIG. 1, but showing apparatus inaccordance with the present invention mounted on the barrel preparatoryto cleaning the barrel bore;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the apparatusillustrated in FIG. 2 but with portions broken away for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4--4 ofFIG. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken substantiallyalong line 5--5 of FIG. 4 but on an enlarged scale; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary and foreshortened perspective view illustratingcleaning of the bore of a flintlock muzzleloading rifle in accordancewith the method and apparatus of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawing, and in particular to FIG. 1, a flintlockmuzzleloading type rifle of the type with which the present inventionfinds application is indicated generally at 10. The flintlockmuzzleloading rifle 10 is of conventional known design and may take anyone of a number of known forms. In the illustrated embodiment, the rifle10 includes an elongated barrel, indicated generally at 12, and a stock,indicated generally at 14. The barrel 12 has a hexagonal externalsurface configuration and defines a longitudinal bore 16 which extendsfrom a muzzle or discharge end 12a of the barrel rearwardly to a breechend 12b. The barrel 12 is releasably affixed to an elongated portion 14aof the stock 14 such as by being mounted within a suitably configuredgroove 18 formed along the upper edge surface of the stock portion 14a,as shown in FIG. 2.

The stock includes a shoulder abutting portion 14b and has a lockassembly, indicated generally at 20, of known design mounted on thestock adjacent the breech end 12b of the barrel. Briefly, the lockassembly 20 includes a cock 22 adapted to hold a flint 24. A frizzen andpancover member 26 is pivotally mounted on a mounting plate 28 of thelock assembly in a manner to enable raising of the frizzen for placing aprimer charge within a pan or recess (not shown) formed in the lockassembly in communication with a touchhole such as indicated at 32 inFIG. 2. The touchhole 32 intersects one of the longitudinally extendingflat surfaces of the hexagonal shaped barrel, such as 12c, and alsointersects the longitudinal bore 16. The touchhole 32 may have anannular touchhole liner 34 inserted therein although such liners are notused in all flintlock muzzleloading type rifles.

The operation of the flintlock muzzleloading rifle 12 as thus fardescribed is conventional. Briefly, a primary charge is poured down thebarrel from the muzzle end followed by insertion of paper wadding and aball type projectile which are rammed "home" by a ramrod such asindicated at 36 and which may be carried in the elongated end 14a of thestock as is known. The cock 22 is then moved to a position enablingraising of the frizzen and pan cover 26 to expose the pan and facilitateinsertion of a primer powder into the pan. The frizzen is then againlowered to cover the pan and primer. At this point, the rifle is loaded.Shooting is effected by fully cocking the cock 22 and releasing itthrough the trigger 38 whereupon the flint 24 strikes and slightlyraises the frizzen 26 causing a shower of sparks to drop into the panand ignite the primer which, in turn, causes ignition of the primarycharge through the touchhole 32 to project the shot or projectile fromthe rifle bore. The primary charge conventionally includes black powderwhich, after numerous shots, results in a buildup of residue or foulingon the interior surface of the bore 16.

The lock assembly 20 is secured to the stock 14 in a conventionalmanner, such as by means of mounting bolts 42a and 42b which extendthrough suitable openings in the mounting plate 28 and throughcorresponding bores 44a and 44b formed in the stock 14 as shown in FIG.6. The stock is mortised, as shown at 46 in FIG. 6, to accommodate thevarious operating parts of the lock assembly. In this manner, the lockassembly 20 may be removed from the stock and barrel of the rifle toexpose the touchhole for cleaning purposes.

In accordance with the present invention, apparatus, indicated generallyat 50, is provided for use in cleaning the longitudinal bore 16 of thebarrel 12 while the barrel is mounted on the stock 14 but with the lockassembly 20 removed to expose the touchhole 32. The apparatus 50, whichmay be termed a touchhole sealer, is adapted to be releasably mounted onthe rifle 12 with the lock assembly 20 removed so as to seal about thefull periphery of the exposed touchhole 32 and facilitate cleaning ofthe bore by pouring warm water or a solvent down the bore of the barrel12, the liquid being discharged through the touchhole without contactingthe stock, particularly in the area of the lock mortise area 46.

The apparatus 50 includes a drain member, indicated generally at 52,which has a generally cylindrical tubular portion 54 having an annularflange 56 formed integral with or suitably affixed to one end thereofsuch that the flange is concentric with and normal to the axis of thetubular portion 54. The tubular portion 54, which may be made of asuitable metallic or non-metallic material, defines a fluid flow passage58 therethrough having an entry end 58a adjacent the annular flange 56and having an opposite discharge end 58b.

A plurality of substantially identical external annular ribs 62 arepreferably formed along the outer peripheral surface of the tubularmember 54 in equally spaced relation thereon to facilitate retention ofa flexible drain tube 64 which is inserted over the tubular portion 54of drain member 52 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5. The annular ribs 62are preferably of generally triangular transverse cross section with thebases of the triangular ribs being formed integral with the tubularportion 54 of the drain member 52. The drain tube 64 is preferably madeof a clear vinyl plastic and is of a suitable length to enable the endopposite the drain member 52 to be inserted into a suitable fluidretaining receptacle such as indicated at 66 in FIG. 5.

Sealing means in the form of an annular seal or gasket 70 is mounted onthe flange 56 of the drain member 52 in coaxial relation with the fluidentry end 52a thereof. The annular seal member 70 may be made ofneoprene having a durometer hardness of approximately 40-60 and isaffixed to the flange 56 by suitable means such as a commercial bondingmaterial. The seal member 70 has a central opening 70a of substantiallyequal diameter to the diameter of the fluid entry end 58a of the tubularmember 54 and has an outer peripheral surface 70b of substantially equaldiameter to the outer diameter of the annular flange 56. The sealingmember 70 has an external annular sealing surface 70c adapted forsealing engagement with the barrel surface 12c so as to extend about thefull periphery of the exposed end of touchhole 32 with the centralopening 70a in fluid communication with the touchhole.

Mounting means in the form of a mounting clip, indicated generally at74, is attached to drain member 52 for releasably mounting the drainmember on the barrel 12 and associated stock 14 with the sealing member70 disposed peripherally of the touchhole 32. In the illustratedembodiment, the mounting clip 74 has a generally U-shaped configurationdefining leg portions 74a and 74b. The mounting clip includes a U-shapedmetallic clip member 76 having a circular opening 76a in the endcorresponding to leg 74a. The opening 76a is sized to facilitatemounting of the clip member onto the tubular portion 54 of drain member52 as illustrated in FIG. 5. The portion of the metallic clip 76corresponding to leg 74b has its free end bent outwardly to form a tab76b bent about a generally transverse bend line 78. In its relaxedposition, as shown in FIG. 3, the leg portions of the mounting clip 74are disposed in converging relation requiring manual spreading formounting on the rifle 10. The tab 76b provides a finger tab facilitatingspreading of the mounting clip during assembly onto the rifle. Themetallic clip 76 preferably has a rubber or vinyl coating 80 formedthereon to prevent marring of the rifle stock when the apparatus 50 ismounted thereon.

In cleaning the bore 16 of the flintlock muzzle-loading rifle 10 inaccordance with the present invention, the lock assembly 20 is firstremoved from the stock 14 by removing the bolts 42a,b as aforedescribedso as to expose the touchhole 32. The sealer apparatus 50 is thenassembled onto the stock and barrel of the rifle by spreading the legs74a,b of the mounting clip member 74 and positioning the sealing member70 against the barrel surface 12c peripherally of the touchhole opening32, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6. Preferably, any powder residue is wipedfrom the barrel in the area of the touchhole 32 with a piece of cleaningcloth damp with black powder solvent and the area is allowed to dryprior to assembling the sealer apparatus 50 onto the rifle. The end ofthe drain tube 64 opposite the drain member 52 is inserted into asuitable liquid retaining receptacle 66, the length of the drain tubebeing selected as necessary for this purpose.

With the sealer apparatus 50 mounted on the rifle 12 as aforedescribed,the rifle is placed in a upstanding position with the bore 16 facinggenerally upwardly, such as by placing the shoulder end 14b of the stockon a floor surface and holding the rifle in an upstanding position. Aflushing liquid, such as warm water, or a liquid black powder solvent isthen poured from a suitable container, such as indicated at 82 in FIG.6, into the upper muzzle end of the bore 16 such that the flushingliquid or solvent passes down the barrel and removes the foulingwhereafter the liquid is discharged through the touchhole 32 and sealeddrain member 52 through the drain tube 64 to the receptacle 66. In thismanner, cleaning of the bore 16 is effected without spillage of theflushing liquid or cleaning solvent onto the stock 12, particularly inthe mortise area 46 of the stock. Both the appearance and life of therifle 10 are greatly enhanced by the use of the sealer apparatus 50 inaccordance with the invention.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has beenillustrated and described, it will be understood that changes andmodifications may be made therein without departing from the inventionin its broader aspects. Various features of the invention are defined inthe following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for use in cleaning the longitudinalbore in a barrel of a flintlock muzzleloading type rifle wherein thebarrel is mounted on a stock and has an exposed touchhole openingcommunicating with the longitudinal bore, said apparatus comprising;adrain member having a flow passage therethrough intersecting at leastone end and defining a fluid entry opening at said one end, seal meansmounted on said drain member adjacent said one end and having an annularsealing surface adapted for sealing engagement with said barrelperipherally of said exposed touchhole opening, said seal means having aflow passage communicating with said touchhole and with said flowpassage in said drain member, and mounting means attached to said drainmember and enabling releasable mounting of said drain member and sealingmeans on said barrel and stock with said annular sealing surfaceengaging said barrel peripherally of said touchhole opening so thatcleaning fluid introduced into the muzzle end of the longitudinal boreis discharged through said touchhole and through said drain member. 2.Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a flexible drain having oneend mounted on said drain member and having an opposite end adapted forremote placement in a fluid receptacle.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim2 wherein said tubular portion of said drain member has a plurality ofannular ribs formed on its external surface for retaining cooperationwith said drain tube.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein saiddrain member includes a generally tubular portion having an annularflange at one end thereof, said seal means comprising an annular sealmember secured to said flange member in concentric relation to saidfluid flow passage.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein saidmounting means comprises a generally U-shaped mounting clip having oneend attached to said drain member and having a free opposite endfacilitating releasable mounting of said apparatus on said barrel andstock with said sealing surface disposed circumferentially of saidtouchhole opening.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein saidmounting clip includes a metallic mounting clip member having anonmetallic coating formed thereon.